Device for collecting and distributing objects from a plurality of partial streams



O United States Patent [72] Inventor Gerard Dubus [50] Field of Search 198/32, 78, Combe-la-Ville, France 79, 40, 38

[211 A I. No. 706155 [22] 52 16, 1968 [56] References Cited [45] Patented Oct. 27, 1970 I UNITED STATES PATENTS 1 Assisnee Swim DEXPldmion lndustrielle fies 1,281,579 l0/l9l8 Johnson 198/79 5 2 Allumefles 3,014,573 12/1961 Baumann et al 198/38 g rga establishmem Primary Examiner- Evon C. Blunk [32] Priority Feb 17, 1967 i 28 1967 Assistant Examiner-Roger S. Ga1ther 33 1 France 4norney-Sparrow and Sparrow 1] 95,431 and 116,128

ABSTRACT: A device for collecting and distributing objects d d f d d' 1541 DEVICE FOR CCEEECEENC ENE EIEEEIEETIEC c3212; c2336 0?"iilif rifn iiiifim 51 5321 1531" 15 OBJECTS FROM A PLURALITY or PARTIAL y p g g STREAMS veyor mto successlve longltudlnal portions, a gate opening 9 Cm 4 D i F successively the discharge end on said conveyor of each stream of a determined series of said streams as soon as an ob- [52] 0.8. Cl 198/30, ject discharged by an upstream stream of said series is passed 198/32, l98/34, 198/38, 198/40, 198/79 in front of said discharge end and a free sufficient space is pro- [5l] lnt.Cl. ..B65g 43/08, vided behind said object, whereby forming on each of said 8653 37/00, 865g 47/26 portions a line of objects as near as possible to one another.

E-Lums Dav es For: COLLECTING AND msmnu'rmc OBJECTS FROM A PLURALITY or PARTIAL STREAMS This invention relates to the continuous and mechanized handling of unitized loads of medium weight and volume such as those which are mass-produced in many conversion industries, by means of endless-belt conveyors.

In particular, the invention provides a solution to the problems which arise when output streams from a plurality of machines delivering identical or similar objects at high production speeds which are usually of proximate'value but not necessarily very constant are united in a single stream on common conveyors.

The invention is specially suited to the case in which a common conveyor is a high-speed moving conveyor of the type consisting of an endless belt or band coated with elastic material such as rubber or elastomer.

In addition, when the objects produced by a number of machines have to be aligned on a common conveyor in a row which has its axis in the conveying direction, the invention can very readily satisfy this requirement and makes it possible to maintain said objects in a preferential orientation.

However, without thereby departing from its field of application, the invention can be adapted to a very wide range of operating conditions, layouts and combinations in regard to the number of inputstreams, the number of objects admitted from each stream at each operating cycle, the number of rows or lines of objects formed on a common conveyor, the junction of said lines or streams of a plurality'of' common conveyors. V

The invention is characterized by the features which will be described hereinafter and which may be considered either separately or in combination, viz: v

The incident streams are controlled so that a predetermined number of objects is released in turn onto a common conveyor.

Each turn of operation or successive release of an incident stream is initiated in the order of positional arrangement of the stream inlets on the common conveyor, so that the group of objects derived from a stream of the order n joins the common path immediately behind the group of objects derived from the stream of the order (n-l The turn of operation referred to is determined by the presence of at least one detectable marker which moves along with the common conveyor.

The mechanism of'control of a stream is dependent both on a first detector which responds to the transition of a detectable marker which progresses with the common conveyor and on at least one second detector which is responsive to the positioning of objects derived from streams which are discharged upstream. I

The first detector indicates to the control mechanism'that its turn of operation is about to take place and the second detector indicates the optimum moment.

Each detectable marker canbe a metallic component which is fixed on the nonmetallic band of the common conveyor and which passes opposite to at least one detector, said detector being assigned to a control mechanism comprising a proximity detector.

The second detectors which are responsive to the positioning of objects derived from streams dischargedupstream can be photoelectric projector-detector assemblies.

A good exampleof a,plant in which a device of the above type can be employed to advantage is that of a workshop for packing commodities of any type, in which a packing machine is supplied with the product to be wrapped or packed from a number of production machines disposed in parallel. The problem is different if it is required to supply uniformproducts to a number of packingmachines which are fed by forming machines whose production differs in either one or a number of characteristics such as composition, color, presentation and so forth.

However, in the case last mentioned also, it would be an advantage to be able to process simultaneously in a same bank action on other sources, only those products which have the requisite identity-will accordingly pass along the conveyor.

machines could be utilized to the maximum without entailing any slowing down of production as a result of any changes in distribution of the required supply between the different commodities processed.

The present invention'has therefore fora further object a method of collecting and distributing products which are derived from a number of sources and which may have 'different characteristics, wherein I the products are transferred beyond their sources and prior to distribution to a common conveyor and wherein successive longitudinal sections of said common conveyor areassigned-to thedifferent categories of product, saidcategories being distributed towards their respective destinations as a function of the section of the conveyor which passes opposite to a distributor unit.

The invention further consists in a device for collecting and distributing different categories of products derived from a number of sources at least equal to the number of categories, the collection of all'the products being carried out on the same conveyor, and comprising the following arrangements considered in a number of different combinations:

Identifiable markers divide the common conveyor into successive longitudinal sections, each section being assigned to a category of products which is different from those of the upstream and downstream sections;

The headmarker of any bnesection synchronizes the successive discharge frorri all the sources which deliver products of the category to which said section is assigned; and s Y The headmarker of a section anitiates the change of state of a means for selectingdifferent categories on the common conveyor. V

. it has been proposed above to form on the common conveyor trains of products each constituted as a maximum by all the groups of a selected number of articles derived from each incident stream, these groups being in any case located downstream to upstream in the order of arrival in the upstream to downstreamdirectionzof the incident streams on the common conveyor. lt canbe stated that a detectable marker which has indicated to all the mechanisms for releasing streams that their'turn of operation was about to take place is the pilot or control element ofthe train which said marker has formed. It should incidentally be pointed outthat it is not essentialto ensure that said marker is materially located at the head ofthe train which it controls. if the detectors of said marker-are all displaced rearwardly by a given length (that is to say towards the upstream end of theconvleyor belt) with respect to'the gates which they control, the"-r.narker will be located behind the head of the train by a distance equal to said lows (or at least which it accompanies). Beyond that portion.-

of the conveyor onto which the incident streams are discharged, the passage of a marker in front of an index in-.

dicates the arrival-either impending or simultaneous--of a certain number of products. If said marker can only initiate the operationof gating mechanisms for stopping the supply from certain sources whose products have apredetermined identity, it canbe ensured that, between the transfer of said marker and the transfer of a following marker which produces By means of theprocesswhich consists in dividing an endless conveyor belt into longitudinal sections assigned to the products derived from certainstreams selected from a se- ,is desired to combine into a st common conveyor having a n .1 machines delivering objects of twodifferent types and f given machine can be prevente I consists of a gate, as shownin FIG. 2

provided with stationary guides 6 an the velocityof the he reduced as far. as possible but the maximum-value ,must neverthele and also'by reaso ,l remains a margin of uncertainty as to ries of incidentstreams, it is therefore possible not only to Reference will now be made to the ac'companyingdrawings, in which:

FlG.-1 is a plan view of an endless belt conveyor on which it number of machines which deliver similar objects;

F163 is a detail view on a larger scale showing aportion of the ,conveyor of FIG 1 at the location of one of the gates through which objects are admitted onto the conveyor;

FIG. 3 is a plan schematic view of the receiving portion of a umber of supplies from FIG. 4 is a plan view of the discharge portion of the cona veyor of FIG. 3.

lnfthe'embodiment shown in FIGS 1 and 2, provisionwis' lthough a larger number, may be rnade'for four machines, a contemplated. Byway of example, these machines can be of the type employed for commercial'packing of cigarettes in standard cartons By reaso relatively. deformable and posed both on the pe'rm'issi and on the length of time duri fragile, a limitation has to be imble velocity of the conveyor belt T ng'which the production of a d from being discharged onto the conveyor. The barrier, which prevents such adischarge,

Cartons are delivered from each'machine' onto the belt T by means of a curved chute G in which the cartonsCmove'down, for example, simply' undertheaction of gravity. Said gate is composed of two pallets in the form of a very wide V which are capableof pivoting about thepin 5 under the action of a double-acting operating unit B (such as a jack or an electromagnet) which is actuated by the control system of below. Said pallets are adaptedto move from the position f shown in FlG.,2- in which the downstream pallet holds a carton C within the preadmission lock chamber to a second position inwhich the carton is subsequently released ontothe belt T, but in which the upstreampallet will arrest fora short period any carton which may imme device is to release as required and in unitary sequence the cartons produced by the machine which is" thus controlled.

Under the action, of a short time control, said gate returns automaticallyto the positionshown as soon as thej,discharge, of

the carton'C has in facttaken place. I i Y zontal,-for,example, and is d 7 which are intended to uring transportation. Said guides could ,consistof burnished thin-wall tubeswhich are fixed on the conveyor frame by means of supportstnot, shown in the, dmission lock chamber is joined to a drawings). Each prea guide 7 by means of.a ramp 8 of similar construction. The con-.

The conveyor belt T may behori align the cartons d veyor belt T is adaptedto move in the direction of the arrow F shown in FIG. 1 at anyopti experience, subject to hereinafter. It is understood that a carton such as the carton C f which is released by a gate will-almost instantaneously acquire mum speed which isdet'ermined by every by reason of the inertia of the releasing mechanism, the responsetime of which can vary to an extent which should be of which s'sbe determined as a precautionarymeasure n of the different fric'tibnforces, there always 1 the exact position of'a,

carton at the instant which followsits release ,afteragiven time interval. if the ma 7 xirnum delay 'allowedefor, a carton to pass out of the preadm theoretical delay required from the instant of delivery of-the release. signal is computed in hundredths of,a second and is designated as dr; and if, in addition, the ,velocity of the collec; tor belt T in meters per second is designated carton is liable tobe retarded, will be equal in centimeters to v x d1.

ngle line the production of a n of the'fact that these cartons are t the machine as will be explained 3 diately follow. The aim of this the considerations. "mentioned It on which it is'already carried. How-1 ission' chamberwith respect to the, H

as v, then the i value, inrespect ofthe maximum lag, or extent to which'said It is this value which mustbe takentinto consideration and which is necessary in order to insert a standby carton between two cartons which have already beenfengaged between 6 and 7. it is possible by means of a projector 9 and a photoelectric detector 10 which are placed slantwise with respect to the path of the objects to ensure that said spaceis'available behind a carton shown at C, in FIG, 2 before; giving the signal for the release of C. in this case, however; it is necessary each time to 10 provide for a systematic loss of space, with"the result that the velocity Vof the conveyor belt mis'st lzie determined ac cordingly. It is apparent that, by increasing this velocity, which is already subject to disadvan p erted on the cartons; the carrying capacity of the installation is 5' not thereby increased in the same proportion since, in the case of constant values of dt,thc apparentlength or overall space requirementL of a carton increases to a corresponding extent. According to the principle of the invention, the opening of a .gate is made dependent not on carton C, which will precede the carton C within the passageway between 6 and7, but on a turn of operation which is established as a function solely of the position location of the machines M. Thus, it is possible to release a carton at the gate of the machine M,, then of M,, then of M and so forth in the order of location ofthe machines, as soon as a detection system assigned to each mined the appropriate position of thecarton derived from the precedingmachine. I 1 I The detection systems referred to will advantageously be of the type describedabove and consist of a photoelectricprojectorand detector 9 and 10. It is merely necessary to ensure that the length L as-determined hereinaboveis available behind a carton such as C: length should correspond in the majority of instancesto the transfer of l a number of cartons equal to the number of machines located upstreamof the machine considered. There are thus formed trains" of cartons in which the products are locatedfrom the downstream end to the upstream end in the order of location of the machines considered from the upstream end to the downstream end.

' It should be pointed out that, as soon as n becomes a sufficiently great whole number, the length of a train of n cartons will always be smaller than n X L. in fact, adetection system such as 9--l0 comes into action as soon as the last of the cartons delivered by the ,upstream'f machines has passed and maximum benefit is thus derived from the closing up of consecutive cartons which takcs'place each time the value of the delay which has developed within a preadmission chamber is smaller than the maxium value dr as determinedabovc. It will be possible to calculate that the length of the train which passesopposite to a gate of the order n which is located farthest downstream is appreciably smaller than the theoretical length (n l) L and, taking'into account the maximum production frequency of the machines, to determine a velocity .V which is as low as possible. T

In order to coordinate the sequenceso motion of the conveyor belt which corresponds exactly to the process of optimum operation. To this end, the belt T is made to carry a marker 11 corresponding to the predetermined position of the head carton produced by the machine M,.

' posite to each machine will be detected by ,assigned to the corresponding gate. One simple expedient consists in placing on a belt formed of organic material a metallic onitoring the 1 clip such as a staple on the free edge .12 and in m passage of said marker by means of proximity detectors DP. The operation of a device of this type isas follows: the sta- I the machine M, releases. a carton C, which added to the length of a carton Cin order to find the space L tag'es by reason of the stresses ex,

ly on the correct position of the machine starting from M, has deter- .so that, in a favorable case, said f operation of the gates, it has been found that use could be made of the actual I of, a train, said carton being v The passageof this marker opa detector which is ple 11 passes beneath .theproximitydetector DP,,- the gate of acquires the velocity of the belt T and progresses betweenthe guides 6 and c 7 at an interval relative to the marker which remains within a precise limits. When the staple ll subsequently; passes 5 beneath the proximity detector DPZwhich corresponds tothe machine M the signal delivered will set a special relay R which will remain energized. A photoelectric unit 9-10 is placed in such a manner as to ensure that, by sweeping the track located between'6 and 7, the beam will then be intercepted by the carton C, but that, as soon as the rear end of said carton has finally passed beyond the position in which a carton C released at the same instant by the machine M; can no longer come into contact with C,, the beam emitted by the projector 9 impinges upon the photoelectric cell 10. The amplifier relay AR of the photoelectric cell will emit a signal which, via the relay which has been set by the proximity detector DP2, will energize the operating member E of the gate of M,. A carton C, will be released while the relay R will be returned at the same time to the rest position.

The operation will be the same from point to point, except that the photoelectric units 9 and 10 which are assigned to the following machines 'will be placed in such a manner as to check the absence of cartons over the distance L which is necessary for a satisfactory insertion after the passage of a staple 11 beneath the corresponding proximity detector.

This embodiment provides a remarkably wide range of adjustments since it is possible to vary with great ease the velocity of the conveyor-belt T, the distance" between a number of staples 11, the positions of the proximity detectors DP and the position of the photoelectric projectors 9 and detectors 10, thereby making it possible to adapt the installation to an increase in output of the machines and to gain an additional advantage by means of any improvement which can be made in the precision of operation of the admission gates.

In the embodiment of P165. 3 and 4, the common conveyor shown at T is a flexible endless belt, the upper carrying run of which is assumed to be horizontal. The direction of progression of said carrying run is that of the arrows F. Said conveyor belt is employed for the purpose of collecting and transporting packages formed by five machines designated by the references M,, M M M and M and coupled with the belt T by means of channels which are represented schematically by the curved arrows, said channels being controlled by a system of gates. It is assumed that the machines M and M form packages of a product of one variety and that the machines M,, M, and M form packages of products of another variety. The first packages are indicated by the letter A and the second packages are indicated by the letter B.

Metallic staples 21 and 22 are attached by clamping, for example, on the edges of the conveyor belt T at uniform intervals so that, taking into account the speed of the conveyor belt and the rate of delivery of the machines, the distance between a staple 21 and the staple 22 which immediately follows (looking at the moving conveyor from a fixed point) is sufficient to allow two packages A to be readily introduced, and that three packages B can be inserted between said staple 22 and the following staple 21. The staples 21 are attached in this case on the left-hand edge of the belt T and the staples 22 are attached on the right-hand edge. It is apparent that, despite its obvious advantages, this arrangement is not essential and that a plurality of metallic markers can be fastened on a same side of a belt, small differences in distance relative to the centerline of the conveyor being sufficient to permit of their discrimination by suitably selected and suitably located detectors.-

The detectors which are responsive to the passage of the staples 21 and 22 have been designated by the letters DP followed by the same index as the machine to which they are as signed. Thus, the detector DPl controls the machine M (or its gate system if necessary)- Depending on circumstances, these detectors can be responsive to the elevation of a staple above the belt surface, to its electrical conductivity, to its magnetism, to its reflecting power or to any other property which serves to distinguish it clearly from its support, in this case the conveyor belt T. However, preference is nevertheless given to electronic proximity detectors by reason of the fact that, in respect of a high velocity of the conveyor and of staples having a small thickness, such detectors can provide a particularly clear signal which can readily processed.

At the downstream end of the belt T, there have been placed in oppositely facing relation two detectors DA and DB which are intended to control the system of selection of packages. Said-system can consist of two symmetricalv ramps 23 and 24 which are pivotally mounted at the head end thereof on bearing brackets 25 and 26 and actuated at the opposite end by a double-acting compressed-air jack as shown at 27. Electric relays (not shown in the drawing) controlled by detectors DA and DB are intended to control electrovalveson jack 27 for the rapid operation thereof and consequently-the virtually instantaneous change of orientation of ramps-23 and 24.

In order to follow up the common conveyor, it has been assumed that the packages which are carried forward by their own momentum reach the inclined planes EA or EB. However, it is apparent that the mechanism of selection and mode of discharge of products can vary to a very wide extent' depending on the nature of commodities handled and the effect which it is desired to obtain.

The operation of the assembly is as follows:

The passage of a staple 21 A beneath the proximity detector DP 1, which controls the machine M will initiate the release of a package A which will reach the conveyor belt T at a short distance to the rear of said staple 21A. it will readily be understood that it is easy to adjust this distance by setting the detector DP 1 at a greater or lesser distance forward of the outlet channel of M The timing introduced by the distance between detector and outlet channel can in any case be utilized for the purpose of arranging the packages of each category in order behind each other; this simplified mode of procedure is wholly suitable when there exists a small number of sources for each category of products and when the number of packages onthe packages to a maximum extent in the case of a large number of sources, use will be made of checking means for the purpose of delaying discharge of the channels beyond the first as long as a sufficient length of conveyor belt is not found to be available.

A staple 22 B which passes beneath the detector DP 2 will initiate in the same manner the release of a packages B through the outlet channel of M When a staple 21 A has passed opposite to DP 3, a second package A will pass onto the conveyor behind the package derived from the machine M Similarly, the package B which are derived from the machines M, and M, will come into position in turn behind the package B which follows the staple 228. At the output end of the zone of discharge from the machines, there will therefore be present on the conveyor trains of packages A following a marker 21 and trains of packages B following a marker 22, as shown at the bottom of FIG. 2.

The passage of a staple 21 beneath the detector DA will produce the immediate energization of the electric relay, thereby initiating the opening of the electrovalve and resulting in the operation of the jack 27. As the jack retracts, so the ramps 23 and 24 will be moved in'the direction of the inclined plane EA onto which the two packages A will be discharged. The passage of the staple 22 beneath the detector DB will similarly initiate the movement of extension of the jack 27 and the orientation of the packages B which follow said staple towards the inclined plane BB. 1

Many complementary features can be incorporated in this device, especially in regard to the alternate arrangement of markers as a function of the rate of production from the different sources, in regard to. the number of qualities of products, to the manner in which the lines of identical products are made up, and to the modes of selection of the dif ferent products after the trains have been made up.

Iclaim:

1. A device for collecting and distributing objects derived from a plurality of streams and discharged on conveying means, said device comprising in combination a main conveyor, a plurality of tributary conveyors having a discharge end and to discharge said objec'ts'on main conveyor 1 through said discharge end; a gate at said discharge end of each one of said tributary conveyors,

objects at said end; means for controlling each one of said 7 l gates, at least one mark attached on said main conveyor, a first detector corresponding to each one of said gates for detecting f-the passage of said mark, means corresponding to each one of said gate stopping said said gates and responsive to the absence of said objects ina determined zone o said main conveyor in the'proximity of one of said gates, andcontrol means for eachoneof said gates tected the passage of a'mark and the absence of said objects in i said determined zone.

2. Adevice for collecting and shape of a wide V.

to claim 1, whereina plurality of marks are attached to said conveyor. r j

4. Adevice for collecting and distributing objects according connected to both 'said first detector and said responsive y means, said control means adapted to be actuated when said first detector and said responsive means have successfully dedistributing objects according n vto claim 1, wherein said gates consist of double pallets in the t I 3. A device for collecting and distributing objects according 5. A device for collecting anddi stributing objects according to claim l, vhe'reinsaid means responsive to the absence of said objects consist of photoelectric means.

6'. A device forcollect ing and distributing objects according to claim I, said conveyor 8. A device as in claim 7'wherein said marks arelalternately located on one side and on the other of the conveyor;

9. A device for collectiiig and distributing objects according 'to claim 1, further comprising at theend of'said main con-j veyor a plurality of receiving means, means directing said objects towards trolling means for said directing means, second detector Y meansresponsive to the passage of said marks, said second deto claim 3, said conveyor consisting of anonrnetallic material,:'

said marks consisting of metallic members attached to said conveyor, and said first detectors being proximity detectors.

tector means selectively actuating said controlling means responding to said passage of said marks.

havinglongitudinally divided porn tions, one portionbeinga conveyin'g'portion and the:other. portionbein'g a waiting1 portionQ said tributary conveyors to said waiting portions, and said marks are aligned along parallel one or the other of said receiving means, con- 

